Greater occipital nerve
293748
190327010
2008-02-10T04:41:14Z
Arcadian
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{{Infobox Nerve |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = |
GraySubject = 209 |
GrayPage = 923 |
Image = Gray800.png |
Caption = Posterior primary divisions of the upper three cervical nerves. (Great occipital nerve labeled at center top.) |
Image2 = |
Caption2 = |
Innervates = [[semispinalis capitis]], [[scalp]] |
BranchFrom = [[Cervical nerves|C2]] |
BranchTo = |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = n_05 |
DorlandsSuf = 12566321 |
}}
The '''greater occipital nerve''' is a [[spinal nerve]] arising from the [[dorsal primary rami]] of [[cervical spinal nerve]] 2, between the first and second [[cervical vertebrae]], along with the [[lesser occipital nerve]].
It innervates the [[scalp]] at the top of the head, over the [[ear]] and over the [[parotid glands]].
==Clinical relevance==
Disorder of this nerve is one of the causes of [[cervicogenic]] headaches, referred to as [[occipital neuralgia]]s.
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray784.png|Dermatome distribution of the trigeminal nerve
Image:Gray790.png|The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.
</gallery>
==External links==
* [http://www.theberries.ns.ca/Graphics/Whiplash.JPG Image at theberries.ns.ca]
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Greater+occipital+nerve}}
* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-2.HTM
* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-6.HTM
{{neuroscience-stub}}
{{Nerves}}
[[Category:Nervous system]]
[[de:Nervus occipitalis major]]